Authorities hopeful of rebounding rubber price this year
Luang Namtha provincial authorities are hoping an increase in the world price of rubber will boost exports to China and local farmers’ incomes. The end of rubber tapping season October-November last year saw the price reach 8,000-9,000 kip a kg for raw rubber and this was expected to increase after the start of the tapping season in April, provincial Industry and Commerce Department official, Mr Sawaeng Sivilay told Vientiane Times on March 8. The price should increase to around 9,000-10,000 kip a kg for raw rubber, he expected. In recent years, the price slumped to 2,000-3,000 kip a kg causing many Lao rubber growers to suffer, Mr Sawaeng said. Some farmers decided to sell their rubber farms, while others cut down the rubber trees to grow other commercial crops.
